
Vanilla Fairy Cakes
Prep
20 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
6
Difficulty
Easy
Vanilla Fairy Cakes are delightful individual sponge cakes made with all purpose flour, sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla extract, topped with confectioners' sugar. These charming treats come together in just 20 minutes of preparation, followed by 25 minutes in the oven. Perfect for afternoon tea, celebrations or simply satisfying a sweet craving, they suit anyone who enjoys classic baking at its finest.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 250 gall-purpose flour
- 200 gsugar
- 2 tspbaking powder
- 1 tspsalt
- 100 gunsalted butter(softened)
- 2 egglarge eggs(room temperature)
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 150 mlmilk
- 50 gconfectioners' sugar(for glaze)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Tip: Make sure the parchment paper is large enough to hold the cakes in a single layer.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Tip: Make sure to whisk well to avoid lumps.
- 3
In a large bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.
Tip: Use an electric mixer for this step.
- 4
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Tip: Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- 5
Add vanilla extract and mix well.
Tip: Use a small amount of vanilla extract for a subtle flavor.
- 6
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Tip: Make sure to mix until just combined.
- 7
Divide the batter evenly among 6 fairy cake cases.
Tip: Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the cases.
- 8
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tip: Don't overbake, as the cakes will continue to cook after removal from the oven.
- 9
Allow the cakes to cool in the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tip: This step is crucial for maintaining the cake's texture.
- 10
Once the cakes are cool, sift confectioners' sugar over the top and drizzle with a small amount of milk to create a glaze.
Tip: Adjust the amount of milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- 11
Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Tip: These cakes are best consumed fresh, but can be stored for later use.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like

Bacon & hot honey pancakes
You've got to try these bacon and hot honey pancakes because they're an absolute game changer for brunch. The beauty of this recipe is how quick it comes together, ready in less than 45 minutes from start to finish. I love the contrast of sweet and savoury with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and that gorgeous drizzle of hot honey that brings everything together. The jalapeños add a nice kick without overwhelming your taste buds, and red onions bring some real nutritional punch with their quercetin content, which actually supports heart health. This is simple comfort food that feels fancy but honestly requires minimal fuss in the kitchen.

Peach melba tatin
This is my favorite way to reinvent a classic dessert. By combining the elegance of Peach Melba with a show stopping tatin, you get a dessert that looks fancy but comes together in just over an hour. Peaches are wonderfully low in calories and packed with vitamin C, so you can feel good about indulging. The beauty of this recipe is that most home cooks already have puff pastry in the freezer, making it incredibly practical for unexpected guests. Caramelized peaches paired with tart raspberries and creamy vanilla ice cream create pure magic on the plate.

Tomato salad with chilli oil, Thai basil & burrata
This is one of my favorite summer dishes to throw together when tomatoes are at their peak. The combination of creamy burrata with juicy tomatoes and a punchy chilli oil dressing feels like a restaurant quality meal, but honestly, it comes together in under 40 minutes with minimal effort. The beauty of this salad is that it's genuinely good for you too, especially with the lycopene in the tomatoes which is brilliant for heart health. Plus, if you've got fresh Thai basil on hand, you're basically done. It's elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a solo lunch.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.